Stationary heaven, but at a price. One star knocked off, because I'm a college student on a budget. read more

I love to browse in Paper Source. Cody's Books used to be down the street (now on Shattuck near downtown Berkeley BART); they had better single-sheet giftwrap papers. The rest of what PS sells? I can get it cheaper from local non-chain stores, or Buy It Now in 30 seconds on eBay, or from one of Etsy's great suppliers. Paper Source's prices are bat$hit. Their store is pretty though -- they know how to display their wares. Try Scrapbook Territory, down the street (just past Z Gallerie and Crate & Barrel) instead. Scrapbook Territory has more stuff, and it's not as primly perfect, either (I like lots of STUFF everywhere....PS is scary NEAT, as in anal retentive). The stores overlap on a lot of merch, you may want to go to both. All right...you WILL want to go to both.....I'm a paper ho. Paper Source used to be a VERY cool store in Chicago. Coming here, I think PS assumed they'd rule, but we'd already seen it, done it, RULED it! (Well, we HAD.) Ok, it's a guilty pleasure for eye candy. But I REFUSE to buy more than one or two little things there -- and I only did that once! (Okay, twice...) Their stuff glows & glimmers with newness; I prefer vintage, reused bits. Though I can't help but salivate every time I go in there. It's just so......slick. A chain store. I prefer Castle in the Air and Scrapbook Territory (I'm NOT a scrapbooker!). Paper Source's staff is really nice (you can say that of nearly any shop on 4th St., of course.) Some of their items are unique. Worth a visit? ABSOLUTELY. read more

Good God I love this place. I spent wayyy more money on DIY wedding stuff here than I care to admit. Their wrapping paper is sublime. Of course, you pay for it but it's so lovely... You have to love that they actually have a little parking lot! Such a time saver when you just need to run in for one more pack of chocolate 5 x 5 cards! read more

I must say, I love all things paper. I am a Card-a-holic. I am an inspiring domestic diva/crafter/holiday maker and this store had it all! I have taken maybe 4 classes in this location and adore the staff, they remember me, they will help you with any question you have or design issue. Really a great company and a fun place to learn in and to spend all my money at!!! :-) read more

We did our own stationary for our wedding and Paper Source was our best friend. My sister-in-law designed our invitations and helped me buy whatever supplies I needed to package everything together. We made half a dozen trips to Paper Source in both the Berkeley and Walnut Creek location to get stamps, cards, envelopes, pens, etc. Their staff is always so nice and helpful! I am probably addicted to Paper Source now :) read more

Very helpful staff. I came in asking about wedding invitations, after finding out how long other services took. For me, time was the deciding factor. I needed them completed in a week, not in three to six weeks! And believe me, if I had a Vanderbilt and type available to set, a few polymer sheets for graphics, I would letterpress my own invitations! But that was not in the stars... Back to the store...sales person greeted me and reassured me that it could be done, walked me over to some lovely stationary that I could print on. The next few times I went to the store, after making some quick decisions and to restock on materials, they were equally as helpful. Because there are several stores in the Bay Area, I was able to get the quantity of cards I needed. So, thanks to them, instead of waiting for my wedding invitations to be finished, I'm already getting RSVP cards back in the mail :) Also, pro tip of sorts: I still ended up printing my invitations, directions, RSVP cards professionally, through Copy Central. My personal inkjet/laser could not adequately latch onto the paper, with the print quality I wanted. But that was fine, because it was all printed and ready to mail within a day! read more

Came here shopping for Valentine's Day gift and was pleasantly surprised with their variety of gift options! They range from small little cutesy items to medium sized plush toys. Best of all, they carry a huge selection of paper-made gift materials (hence the name). Cards, wrapping paper, boxes, fillers, paper art, you name it. Best of all, they have an entire area devoted to your making of your own customized cards! So if you're thinking of getting a self-made Gift Card for your special one, this is the place to go. read more

Who knew you could have so much fun at a paper store? I got dragged into go shopping for wedding invitations. I wasn't exactly kicking and screaming but I muttered a few complaints. Who wants to spend time looking a different shades of ivory? Well, the worst of it did not actually take long. Before we left, we asked a question about the embossing, I think that what it's called. You know, that raised lettering that looks like plastic paint commonly seen on business cards and invitations? I asked a helpful lady how that was done. Well, 30 minutes later, we were excited and delighted to learn that it can be acheived with a rubber stamp, some powdery stuff, and a heat gun. We left the store just wanting to emboss everything. Who knew? read more

Great selection of everything "paper". Although the prices are on the high side, you are paying for quality. The staff was fantatic. They were extremeley helpful (especially when doing demos for customers of different paper application techniques). read more

This place is a graphic designer's paradise AND worst nightmare. I have to have a plan when I come in because it would be far too easy to blow a whole paycheck! Paper Source has all these great items - papers, stickers, stamps, craft tools, albums/books, gifty things - and everything matches in some way, shape or form. Every time I start a new batch of wedding invites, their website is my first stop. To top off all of my PS experiences, I recently found myself pulled into a wedding invitation part way through the project. I needed to go get some additional paper and, like an idiot, didn't remember to bring a sample to match. Cue the trumpets: Yvette sees me looking stunned as I realize my mistake and spends 15 minutes with me gathering everything I needed with the most amazing, upbeat attitude and paper knowledge. Someone GIVE THAT WOMAN A RAISE!!!! (And when I had to go back to return/get something else, she didn't even run the other way!) Love this location. read more

Started off with a bad experience with a major biz natch that works there. She gave me crap about returning something past 30 days (I was 10 days over), by saying LEMME SEEE and then saying she was making an exception this time ONLY by giving me credit (she was soo loud sounding making it obvious to people around and embarrassing me). Hello Missy, the receipt says past within a certain time frame (which I was under) a credit can be issued. That experience made me never wanting to go to any paper-source ever and left me a bit traumatized and the impression that they are racist and snotty. After making a complaint to the manager...nothing happened...so basically I let it go. Out of desperation I had to finish wedding projects and returned...and luckily the staff I have encountered were awesome. I see that bitch around at the store but I think she is just a bitter or always on her period...so I forgive her. I still love Paper Source..but took 1 star away for this location because of the angry gal. It's a little pricier..but they have everything ready to go. So the time you save cutting etc. is worth paying a little extra for pre-cut sizes and in most basic colors and beyond. Sometimes they are out of stock on items..so I was a bit bummed, but they can always locate it for you at another store for a little shipping cost....with gas at the prices they are these days...it's not bad. read more

This store indulges my strangest interest...paper. Seriously, I had for the longest time a box of paper that I absolutely loved, I sold it all for a buck at a garage sale...my wedding reignited my fascination with paper. Paper Source offers wonderful classes on invitation assembly, book binding, and much more...And oh the beautiful papers! I can get lost in the sea of color and texture...too bad I'm not a scrapbooker, just a kooky chic who loves paper. read more

cutest shop ever. cards. paper. glitter. crafts. sponge microphones for the shower. mr. roger's playback toys. stickers. journals. inspiration---oh my. read more

Paper Source is every card-addict's dream. They have the largest selection of cards that I've ever seen, compared to the other local card shops like Twig & Fig and Avant-Card. From the boxed sets of blank notecards that line the ENTIRE northern wall of the store to over forty different kinds of Father's Day cards (the original purpose of my visit), I was very impressed with the selection here. You can truly find a card for everyone here, and I stocked up on enough cards to last me until April 2014, literally. Although I was mainly focused on cards, I loved how Paper Source could fulfill just about any paper need I desired: from calendars (desk-sized to mini ones), stamps to decorate any stationary, the cutest paper-craft stickers to seal an envelope, and an assortment of funny books and other gift ideas. Paper Source, the day they make a thank you card big enough to show you my appreciation (read: reaches all the way to the moon), I'd send it to you. read more

I experienced BAD customer service from this particular Paper Source store and would not recommend buying anything here unless you know for sure you want to keep it. The manager gave me a hard time for returning some items - would not allow me to return it and even criticized me for it! I am NEVER going to this store again knowing they treat customers this way. read more

Hi, my name is Lisa and I am addicted to Paper Source. This place inspires you even if the last thing you made was a copy. I have been to both of the SF locations many, many times. After moving to the 5-1-0, I was so excited when this location opened. And as it turns out, its 10x better than its SF counterparts. First, there's parking. Second, its BIG and nice to browse around unlike the Fillmore location. Next time you want to do something special like throw a party or send a unique card - go here - you won't be sorry and you won't leave empty handed. read more

Hurray for bringing back paper invitations. My friends and I are addicted - weddings, parties, doesn't matter. I HATE Evites. Give me something in the mail - they have so many different sizes, colors and patterns of paper, cards and envelopes that I could just drool. read more

I've been reading wedding blogs like no other lately and a lot of the bloggers talk about Paper Source so I just HAD to check one out. This was the closest store to me so I treked out here and I'm glad I did... everything in here is so cute!! They have the best DIY kits for cute crafts and paper flowers that are soooo pretty! They also have like every color of every letter size paper and envelope in their store along with very pretty scrapbooking and japanese chiyogami papers! read more

I love this store. I love all the things. I love the inspiration I get from it. I lust over things online a lot, and shop at this particular location from time to time as well. I will admit - I have an embarrassing wealth of Paper Source envelopes and card stock in my craft room. Like, what the hell is wrong with me that I am hoarding all this paper levels. So, now that planning the big day is upon me, it was kind of a no brainer to get paper for my invites here. I did a little recon online before heading down - I mean, why pay shipping and guess at actual colors when I can hold them in my hot little hands? Well, I have one big, fat, disappointing reason for you right here. They may not have the quantities you want. The quantities you planned on, that would afford you "bulk quantity" discounts. You may think that will happen, as you pick up a couple of packs in a second, "not your first choice" color, because - well, they're all A7 envelopes. And I need 12 sets, and 10 gets me the discount, so, fine - I don't get the color I want, but I still get the quantity and the discount! Except no. No, you don't. You only get the discount if you're buying all one color; even if they don't have enough in stock for you to do so. A minor quibble, but a total letdown nonetheless. For all the money I've spent with you PS - a lousy 10% off my envelopes surely wouldn't have killed you. read more

The Paper Source is one of those stores that make you fall in love with creativity all over again. I walk in with one idea and leave with a boat load of things to create in addition to my original plan. ugh. its great in there. I would dry hump The Paper Source if I could, which would be the best thing and all since its paper. read more

this is pretty much DIY heaven. this is not to say i am much of a DIY girl, but this place will make you want to be one, and then assist in making you one! check out http://www.paper-source.com for a preview! (this is in my wedding list because because they have a gazillion shades of paper in all sorts of shapes... this will be used for our invitation printing!) read more

this place is so addicting. I'm not much of a crafter, but I'm working on it. I love being able to find deals and sale items on current season goods. and the gals here have been super helpful and nice. I've since started making my own envelopes and cards, the selection is vast and they seems to carry all the colors of the rainbow and much more inbetween. They also have their own parking lot, winning! read more

OK, I loved this place before I met the owner through my Dad in New Mexico. (long story). But I was just there last weekend with my daughter, and I had a blast. I could have spent thousands of dollars in there, it's an artist's dream come true. A really unique and exquisite selection of cool and beautiful stuff! read more

This place is awesome!!! The staff is extremely helpful ... any questions you ask, they will go out of their way to help you and even teach you techniques for whatever project you're doing. They also have samples of all of their ink pads and paper colors, so you can try them out at the store before you buy them. Great store! read more

If you're a bride on a budget (and c'mon, how many aren't?) and you have a bit of a creative streak in you (or even if you don't), then I highly recommend Paper Source for your invitation/announcement/place card/etc. needs. This place has EVERYTHING you need (and in every color/size you could dream of). I will admit that it's still relatively expensive for paper goods, but my tab for everything I needed for my invitations with response cards and necessary envelopes (plus a stamp and ink for decor) came to $150 which is FAR less expensive than having them made would have been. On top of it all, that exact "look" my fiance and I were looking for was EXACTLY what we got (so this is a good option for you "bridezilla-it-must-be-exactly-that-shade-of-green-or-I-will commit-murder" types...hey, I don't judge!) AND, my fiance and I actually had FUN doing something wedding related because the stress of a HUGE bill wasn't looming over us and we got to do something creative together. And if you're not so confident in your DIY skills, the Paper Source offers regular workshops for all different kinds of paper-related projects (though it isn't free). Weddings aside this place is great for gifty stuff too (albeit a little more on the expensive side). It's a relatively large retail space, so I could definitely see myself spending hours perusing all they have to offer! :) read more

This is probably my favorite stationary store in Berkeley. It's a little farther from me than other stationary places, but the selections of papers, envelopes, decorations and other products and excellent staff is well worth it. When I first enter, one of the staff always greets me or one of them will come by to where I'm browsing and ask if I need help. I usually come here looking to stock up on certain colors of papers or specific colors/sizes of envelopes, and their selection of both is fantastic! They have tons of papers and envelopes in various sizes and colors, and it's neatly organized. I found the paper and envelopes I wanted and went to the check out. A female clerk noticed me right away, came to the register and scanned my items quickly and payment was easy. The Paper Source staff are always friendly and helpful. I wish they had better selection of pens and writing tools though. Their paper selection is great, but they don't really have a lot of pens. With more and more of Berkeley's gifts/stationary/office stores closing down as things go digital and buildings get repurposed (I'm really sad that Avant Card closed down), it's great that Paper Source is still around and still has excellent products. As the holiday season starts to pick up again, I will definitely be making more trips here in November and December to restock on more materials. read more

I normally don't post reviews but I had to inform the public about this one. As a loyal paper source customer, I purchased several items including a gift and prewrapped box today totaling $190 worth of merchandise. I was in a rush to an appointment and kindly asked the salesperson to wrap a piece of my purchased ribbon around the box given I didn't have scissors. She then said she had to ask permission from her manager to do it without charging me $8.00. Her manager then said no she couldn't wrap it unless I paid $8.00 for her to wrap the ribbon around the gift box. She offered the scissors for me to go wrap it on the table in the back of the store. The store was completely empty because of the coronavirus pandemic with 5 employees working the store. I then kindly spoke to the manager and gave him feedback. He said nothing, no apology, no explanation. This is price gouging customers and loyal ones like myself. I've been shopping there for years and today is the end of this chapter. It's unfortunate because I strongly support brick and mortar stores and small businesses. However when you lack common sense and strong customer service, I take my business elsewhere. Beware. read more

I Luuuuv this place!. You can make anything you want from invitations, postcards, envelopes,flyers,flowers, and other dodads! The staff was really helpful . I made some bridal shower invitations based on a couple of samples from their in house book. Sooo many colors and shades to choose from Just a tad pricy but its worth every penny if you are into diy projects that are unique, one of a kind. and reflect your style!Your creative juices will be lapping under your chin when you enter the store. just great!, baby! AND.... there is a parking lot!!! how 'bout that! read more

I'll admit that I started going to this location because I have a habit of getting horribly lost every time I try to go to the SF stores but now I'm a Berkeley fan. The PS is always, always wonderful, of course, (I've been an addict since I discovered it in the Boston area) but I think this is the nicest store I've been in (besides the Wellesley location, which is very similar). It's big and airy and well lit, while some of their other locations can be a bit cramped. Plus it's in such a great area, lots of fun shops (be sure to check out Sketch ice cream!) including an entire (huge) store full of great handmade soaps, and a few other nice artsy/crafty shops. Perfect place to walk around on a nice day and though parking is a bit scarce, I've always managed to find a spot without too much trouble. read more

this is such an awesome stationery store! every time i'm in there, i end up buying more than i originally plan to. they're got really cute gifts as well. you really have to go there, because i don't think any review on yelp or otherwise can fully capture the kick-assness of this store! this place rocks harder than papyrus (although it doesn't emphasize greeting cards as much). bonus: it's a chain, so there are multiple locations around! read more

My credit card company must have something to do with the fact that Paper Source and Anthropologie are next to each other. Now I can make cute invitations, buy a party dress, and go broke in one place. read more

I love Paper Source. The staff here is very knowledgeable and friendly. The store is very spacious with plenty of selection for you to choose from. I love that they show you how to make things you are interesting in making... not just point to where the supplies are it. Excellent! read more

yes, i am the woman trying to get some crafty shopping done with a wiggly giggly toddler. i apologize to you all. i needed a 12" by 12" scrapbook for the overflow of pictures + tokens of aforementioned toddler, but i found several other items i hadnt expected to find. now the problem, do i look through goodies and save a later trip, or do i grab the essentials and get the kid outside? the woman helping me made it possible to get goodies and avoid a melt down. she answered all questions, pointed out exactly what i needed and gave the kid a sticker. i love you. read more

This place is great for do-it-yourself projects a couple steps up from elmer's glue and glitter. Stamps, awesome ink colors, countless pens in all kinds of tip sizes, and paper in any color you can imagine - including classy wrapping paper by the sheet. Also, great for stocking stuffers, I recently discovered! I will say things are a bit overpriced here, but that seems to be status quo on 4th Street. Their awesome customer service makes it worth it though. read more

Found what I wanted. Got cool stamps great envelopes and card stock. NIce albums, gifts and books. Classes....need I say more. I am a crafty kind of gal! read more

The employees here are kind of pushy. It feels like they're really trying to sell you as much as possible. When I let them know I'm just browsing they act cold. I'm sure they're just doing their job, but it's a little uncomfortable. read more

i accidentally wandered into paper source one evening at 6:20pm. accidentally b/c the last thing i need is another greeting card or another sheet of wrapping paper. but seeing as its one store closer to the lot than anthropologie, i ended up in here. 30 min flew by and next thing you know, anthropologie is closed and i had sheets of wrapping paper, ribbons, and boxes of holiday cards...but nothing to wrap. 4 stars for excellent selection of paper, cards that are original, quirky,and elegant, and for having tons of other little crafty things that i'm tempted to buy but know better. only 4 stars due to the fact that a box of 6 greeting cards can run about $16... read more

love paper source. was watching an episode of 'creative juice' and they went to paper source... it looked very much like this location... wonder if it was... anyway, if i was stinkin' rich i'd buy at least one of everything they have... :) great for your own creative creations, gifts etc... read more

You can always find a great card for any occasion. I just love this store. It's like having a shoe fetish, but for paper products-I love it, can't get enough of this store!!! People are really nice and I can always find something to buy-even if I don't need anything. Photo albums, decorative box's, stamps, ribbon, cards, toys, books, pens, oh the list goes on and on! read more

Fabulous, Fabulous gift wrapping paper. For those occasions when the wrapping is just as important as the gift. They also have some beautiful cards and journals... you know the genre. read more